Police today (August 17) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok. Wong Kwok-tung, aged 30, went missing after he left his residence on Fa Yuen Street on… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 17) reported the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From August 9 to 15, two community-acquired LD cases were reported:
1. A male patient, aged 54 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Chung Yuen Building, Tai Kok Tsui; and
2. A male patient, aged 57 with underlying illnesses, who lives in Tower 4, Yau Tong Centre, Yau Tong.
“Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
As of August 15 this year, 71 LD cases had been reported. In 2019 and 2018, there were 105 cases each year.
“Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection including poor maintenance of water systems leading to stagnant water; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpools and spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or vessels,” the spokesman said.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD. read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
US Dollar Liquidity Facility tender notice:
| Tender date | : | August 19 (Wednesday) |
| Tender submission time | : | 9am to noon |
| Settlement date | : | August 20 (Thursday) |
| Repayment date | : | August 27 (Thursday) |
| Tenor | : | Seven days |
| Amount on offer | : | US$10,000 Million |
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (August 17) the August 2020 issue of the "Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics" (HKMDS). Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, … read more
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 17) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus (MGI) in July dropped to 7.4 per cent from 18.1 per cent in June, which is at Level 2, indicating that mosquito infestation was slightly more extensive in the areas surveyed but maintained at a relatively low level. None of the 62 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) exceeding the alert level of 20 per cent, indicating a remarkable improvement when compared with the situation in June. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus (MDI) slightly dropped to 1.3 in July from 1.5 in June, which represented that an average of 1.3 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not high in the areas surveyed. Although the indexes have declined, members of the public should continue to take effective prevention and control measures against mosquitoes to reduce the risk of the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in the territory as the hot and rainy weather of summer is favourable for proliferation of mosquitoes.
As for the port areas, the monthly port gravidtrap index also dropped to 1.1 per cent in July from 3.5 per cent in June, while the monthly port density index in July slightly dropped to 1.1 from 1.3 in June.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The FEHD is very concerned about mosquito infestation and relevant government departments have enhanced co-operation and commenced the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations in April. Major anti-mosquito measures include carrying out fogging in the scrubby areas within a 100-metre radius around residences weekly to kill adult mosquitoes, carrying out inspections, removing stagnant water, applying insecticide and disposing of abandoned water containers weekly to prevent mosquito breeding and trimming of grass to discourage resting of adult mosquitoes on the site. The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue the above mosquito prevention and control work in areas under their purview and will strengthen publicity and education campaigns. In addition, the FEHD collaborates with relevant government departments every year to conduct the three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign. The third phase of the Campaign started on August 10 and will last until October 30. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD target areas which draw particular concern, such as locations in close proximity to human residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo handling areas, cross-boundary checkpoints, typhoon shelters and cross-boundary ferry terminals, to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work.”
Since April this year, the FEHD has put in place newly designed gravidtraps as a replacement for the ovitraps previously used to directly count the number of adult mosquitoes to enumerate the gravidtrap index and the new density index. The function of the new gravidtrap index is similar to that of the ovitrap index previously used in reflecting the extensiveness of distribution of Aedes albopictus in the survey area. The new density index indicates the average number of adult Aedes albopictus collected in each Aedes-positive gravidtrap in the survey area in order to better quantify the activity level of Aedes albopictus. To enhance dengue vector surveillance, the FEHD has increased the number of survey areas from 57 to 62 from June this year.
The AGI and the area density index (ADI) indicate the extensiveness of distribution and the density of Aedine mosquitoes respectively in that particular survey area, while the MGI and the MDI are enumerated by pooling together all AGIs and ADIs of the same month, which reflects the general situation of Aedes albopictus in all survey areas.
The gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (less than 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of mosquitoes is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent to less than 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of mosquitoes is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent to less than 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of mosquitoes exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (40 per cent or above) indicates that almost half of the area surveyed is infested with mosquitoes. Specific preventive and control measures will be initiated accordingly.
The FEHD will collect the data of the density index this year to evaluate the effectiveness of mosquito control work. After sufficient data has been collected, the FEHD will establish a reference level for the corresponding prevention and control measures for the density index.
The spokesman said, “Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) as well as Zika virus infection. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. The World Health Organization also issued warnings that the number of DF cases recorded in Asia last year was higher than before. As Hong Kong has recorded this year’s first local DF case in April and the dengue activity in neighbouring areas has remained high, and Hong Kong’s hot and rainy summer is conducive to the proliferation of mosquitoes, the community must stay vigilant and work with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.”
The spokesman added that as Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, members of the public should carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing the water in vases and scrubbing the inner surfaces, removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should take appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to relevant government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.
The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department’s website at www.fehd.gov.hk. read more